Sniper Shootout returns to Fortnite, and you can use the new Heavy Sniper in it

The latest content update for Fortnite is here, patch 5.2, and while it adds the usual tweaks and bug-fixes the most exciting addition is the new Heavy Sniper rifle – which can be used in the returning Sniper Shootout LTM.

The popular limited-time game mode was introduced in March this year and was last seen in June. The only weapon drops are sniper rifles, floor loot spawns are reduced by half, and stats such as kills/deaths are tracked. Aside from adding the new Heavy Sniper, Scoped Assault Rifles have been removed. “May the best aim win!” as Epic’s patch notes helpfully tell us.

The Heavy Sniper weapon was leaked last month by Fortnite dataminers StormShieldOne, and is described as a “powerful and accurate rifle with a bolt-action mechanism with an extremely slow reload.” Not only is it the most powerful sniper weapon in the game, it also does tremendous damage to buildings. Damage to opponents is 150/157, but to structures is 1050/1100. StormShieldOne added that bullets from the rifle “pierce through the first wall [they] hit” which could be devastating in the right hands.

It does, however, take a little longer to reload than other rifles – up to one second longer than standard bolt-action rifles if this Reddit thread is to believed. It apparently has less bullet drop too, which is another mark in its favour.

You can check out the full notes for Patch 5.2 here. In addition to Sniper Shootout, the other limited-time mode being added is Soarings 50s – a twist on the traditional 50v50 mode with an emphasis on mobility. Gliders can be re-deployed, and Impulse Grenades, Bounce Pads, and Launch Pads spawn at a higher rate. Both LTMs sound a hoot, although it will be interesting to see how the powerful but slow Heavy Sniper changes Sniper Shootout.